Friday 9 August 2024
Comments attributed to Naomi McCrae, HSUWA Secretary:
“HSUWA welcomes the Health Minister’s announcement to expand the role of Community Pharmacists to deliver care to more Western Australians by treating a range of acute specific conditions.
“HSUWA also notes the same expanded role for hospital pharmacists has potential to improve patient care and reduce wait times in busy hospital EDs and wards, freeing up doctors to support more patients.
“HSUWA hospital pharmacists continue to take on more responsibility to improve outcomes for patients but are expected to still work under antiquated and flat career pathways that do not reflect their skill sets or these contemporary models of care.
“This announcement recognises the invaluable role and skills of pharmacists – however the Department of Health has simultaneously failed to deliver a fair offer that recognises these very skills.
“In announcing this program, the State Government declared their commitment to creating a more responsible healthcare system capable of meeting the evolving needs of our population.
“If this commitment is genuine, the Government must invest now in the hospital pharmacist workforce.
“HSUWA Hospital Pharmacist members are continuing to fight for simple, sensible and well overdue workforce reforms after eight months of fruitless negotiations with the Department of Health.
“Just yesterday, pharmacists from PCH and SCGH voted to escalate industrial action at a stop work meeting at QEII. Members are calling on the State Government to invest now in the public health workforce and urgently deliver a fair offer.
“An investment now will deliver the rewarding pharmacist career pathways needed to make this new program a success.”
